Review: Reaper

Book: Reaper
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Date: December 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 64 (eBook)
Source: purchased from Kobo Books
Stars: 5/5

Tod Hudson was a typical teenager. He liked girls, sports, food and tolerated his younger brother, Nash. In fact, he had his whole life in front of him--and due to his bean sidhe heritage, it was going to be a very long life indeed. And then the car accident occurred. 

Suddenly Tod's future wasn't so sure, and he had to make a choice. Life... Death... or something Between....

An eBook exclusive Soul Screamers series novella.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS: 

OH MY GOSH!

Is it possible to express in words how much I loved this novella? Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series is one of my favourites of all time, and this little gift that Rachel wrote for her fans (which is available for download free here) honestly takes the top spot of all her books!

The quick wit and humor present in the printed novels of this series are most definitely a big part of this novella, and that this is written in Tod's perspective (my favourite reaper and character of all time) just makes it that much more hilarious!

This novella delves back to when Tod first becomes a reaper, and even though I may have wondered that a few times before, I never would have guessed that it could be this intense. And sad. I'm not even exaggerating when I say that I cried reading this.

Although I love this book so much, I strongly advise people not to start off this series with this novella. I have several friends who have (and they love it nonetheless), but it's so much more fun to read the other books first because then you know the characters even better.

Brilliantly written and extremely enjoyable, Reaper is an eBook that is essential for all Soul Screamers fans. And for those of you who haven't started this series at all, I recommend wholeheartedly that you do so! You won't regret it! :) 

BUY or BORROW?: Well, considering that it's free in PDF format on Rachel's website here, you should definitely buy it! But I'm not lying when I say that I'd pay the retail price to read this book over again! :)

-Mimi

Review: My Soul to Steal

Book: My Soul to Steal
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Date: January 4, 2011
Publisher: Harlequin
Pages: 343
Source: borrowed from Lexie
Stars: 4/5

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can't just pretend nothing happened. But "complicated" doesn't even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

See, Sabine isn't just an ordinary girl. She's a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people's fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn't above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

In case you don't know, this series is one of my favourites ever! I love it!

My Soul to Steal takes place not too long after the awful cliffhanger at the end of the previous book, My Soul to Keep. It's every bit as breathtaking as all of the other books. My heart wouldn't stop speeding up and sometimes I swear it stopped completely!

I adored Kaylee! She's such an amazing character, being strong and smart but selfless at the same time. The entire cast in this series continues to take my breath away — especially Tod, who will probably continue to be one of my favourite male characters ever!

The only thing I really didn't like about it was the amount of jealousy in this book. I've never been a fan of stories that focus on envy, but I guess that it was important in this novel. Rachel did a good job portraying the whole demonic ordeal!

In conclusion, I have to say that My Soul to Steal isn't exactly my favourite book in the series, but I loved it nonetheless. I can't wait until the next installment, If I Die hits the shelves in September! So excited!

BUY or BORROW?: Every single book in Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series is a definite must have! Buy it! :)

-Mimi

Review: My Soul to Keep

Book: My Soul to Keep
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 296
Source: borrowed from Lexie
Stars: 5/5 

Kaylee has one addiction: her very hot, very popular boyfriend, Nash. A banshee like Kaylee, Nash understands her like no one else. Nothing can come between them.

Until something does.

Demon breath. No, not the toothpaste-challenged kind. The Netherworld kind. The kind that really can kill you. Somehow the super-addictive substance has made its way to the human world. But how? Kaylee and Nash have to cut off the source and protect their friends—one of whom is already hooked.

And so is someone else…

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:

This book left me breathless.

I loved the first two novels, My Soul to Take and My Soul to Save, so much that they took high spots on my very long favourite reads list. My Soul to Keep was no exception!

Kaylee was as lovable as ever, strong and smart and confident-but-not-too-confident like she always had been. And the incredible cast behind her continues to grow on me, especially Tod ( who is one of my favourite characters ever).

So many things happened in this book that made me want to cry. Several times! There were so many surprises and heart-wrenching moments (like the ending that left me in tears). But I guess what happens in this book will only help Kaylee grow stronger than she already is.

As a warning, this book does not end on the best of terms but it was amazing nonetheless. Fast-paced and intriguing with surprises at every turn, My Soul to Keep was a perfectly written third installment for a series that has always been a favourite of mine!

BUY or BORROW?: Anything that has to do with a Netherworld full of bean sidhes (banshees) is definitely something you should have on your shelf! Buy it! :)

-Mimi

Review: My Soul to Save

Book: My Soul to Save
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Date: December 29, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin Teen
Pages: 297
Source: borrowed from Lexie
Stars: 5/5

When Kaylee Cavanaugh screams, someone dies.

So when teen pop star Eden croaks onstage and Kaylee doesn't wail, she knows something is dead wrong. She can't cry for someone who has no soul.

The last thing Kaylee needs right now is to be skipping school, breaking her dad's ironclad curfew and putting her too-hot-to-be-real boyfriend's loyalty to the test. But starry-eyed teens are trading their souls: a flickering lifetime of fame and fortune in exchange for eternity in the Netherworld—a consequence they can't possibly understand.

Kaylee can't let that happen, even if trying to save their souls means putting her own at risk…

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

My Soul to Save is the second book in Rachel Vincent's amazing Soul Screamers series which is truthfully one of my favourites of all time. It has the same amount of humor and wit as the first, with a plot that is far from predictable and a cast that I love even more than before (unbelievable, right?)!

Kaylee is back and as awesome as ever with her bean sidhe (pronounced banshee) heritage. Along with her is her boyfriend Nash (who is hot to the max), her best friend Emma (who, in all her ridiculousness, is impossible to hate), and my favourite character by far, Tod (who literally brings tears to my eyes because he's so hilarious in a sarcastic way).

Overall, My Soul to Save was an amazing sequel! I could almost say that I liked this one better, because we're more efficiently introduced to the Netherworld and the awful creatures that lie within it!

Those who haven't picked up this series yet should definitely do so! To say it's enjoyable would be the understatement of the century! 

BUY or BORROW?: Two words — buy it. Need I say more? ;)

-Mimi

Review: My Soul to Take

Book: My Soul to Take
Author: Rachel Vincent
Release Date: August 1, 2009
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Pages: 384
Source: borrowed from Lexie
Stars: 5/5

Kaylee Cavanaugh doesn't see dead people. She senses when someone near her is about to die.

And when that happens, a force beyond her control compels her to scream bloody murder. Literally.

Kaylee just wants to enjoy having caught the attention of the hottest guy in school. But a normal date is hard to come by when Nash seems to know more about her need to scream than she does. And when classmates start dropping dead for no apparent reason, only Kaylee knows who'll be next.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:  

The Soul Screamers series has to be one of my favourites of all time! The synopsis may not attract very many people because of how it's about bean sidhes (pronounced banshee), and let's face it: no one really wants to read about girls screaming for dead souls. But My Soul to Take was actually an amazing book!  

Our heroine, Kaylee, is a sixteen-year-old girl that is extremely easy to like. She's kind and smart and has a killer sense of humor. And she's such a strong person; I find that really important in a likable character. 

Plus, Kaylee has perfect charisma not only with Nash (the hot senior who turns out to be a bean sidhe like her), but her best friend Emma and the awesomely hilarious and sarcastic reaper Tod (who is my favourite character of all time!). The casts just fits extremely well together.  

My Soul to Take is an quick and enjoyable read. Even though the summary doesn't exactly sound appealing, I definitely recommend this book to everyone and anyone anywhere. It has the right amount of humor, drama, and supernatural creatures to keep your eyes glued onto the pages until the very end. It's the perfect first book in a certainly-going-to-be good series!


BUY or  BORROW?: This is a novel that I definitely want on my shelf!! Buy it! 

-Mimi

Review: Hex Hall

Book: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Publisher: Hyperion Book
Pages: 323
Source: KPL
Stars: 4/5

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.

As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:

Oh my gosh, I adore this book! It's cute and different and knee-slappingly hilarious!

Sophie is just such an awesome character! She has this sense of natural humor about her that makes you laugh your head off, and she's always truthful and straightforward no matter the circumstances. She's exactly the kind of person that I'd want as my best friend! Her roommate, Jenna, is just as lovable with her vampirish love for pink. And some of the stray Prodigium on campus are so ridiculous that it makes me smile too.

Then there's Archer Cross, the hottest warlock on campus. There are some things he does that I don't understand, some things he does that make me want squeal in delight, and some things he does that make me want to punch him out. 

But I honestly adore him to death, and his snarky and somewhat arrogant attitude only makes me love him more. Plus, he has perfect chemistry with Sophie which is important to me when reading about book relationships.

Overall, Hex Hall is 100% enjoyable, with an awesome cast of characters and a storyline that has some things you expect and some things that you most definitely do not. It's a fast-paced and exciting book with a hint of mystery that was entertaining until the very end!

BUY or BORROW?: Buy it! It's an awesome book for laughs and really easy to read. Some passages were so awesome that I have them committed to memory! ;)

-Mimi

Review: Wither

Book: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 358
Source: KPL
Stars: 5/5

What if you knew exactly when you would die?  

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb — males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.  

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape — to find her twin brother and go home. 

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left.

(summary taken from Goodreads)

MY THOUGHTS:

Can I first just say how much I love this cover? I know that you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but this one is literally one of my favourites of all time!

I've read so many awesome reviews for this book and they were all spot on! Lauren DeStefano's writing was brilliantly beautiful. I was never bored reading this book! Like author Carrie Ryan said in the blurb on the back cover, Wither was "exactly the kind of book I've been craving to read!"

I adored Rhine! With her strength and determination, she was never a stranger to me. Each and every character in this book was so flawlessly created that I couldn't help but have distinct opinions about each.

Of course, I'm sure that there will be many people who will dislike this book because of some tough subjects that it deals with. But I'm positive that there will also be many people who love it as much as I do!

I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't read it yet, but I just have to say that Wither is and will probably remain one of my favourite books of the year. I have no doubt that it'll be sticking with me for a long time!

BUY or BORROW?: Buy it! I borrowed this book because I wasn't sure if I was going to like it, but now I'm definitely going out to the store to get myself a copy so I can re-read it as I please! :)

-Mimi